New Adventure Take 1

Welcome to my blog, the blog that will soon become the chronicles of my 5-month jaunt in Skagway, AK.  Skagway, AK, you say?!  Oh, heck yes, people.  In two days Kaycee is relocating herself to the Great Northern Alaska where the moose and bear run free, where the mosquitos are aplenty (it’s the freaking state bird of Alaska!!  Since when were mosquitos categorized as birds?!), and where “fresh” produce only comes by way of a big ship.  It all sounds so wonderful, doesn’t it?  Truth be told, I have always wanted to visit this beautiful state.  Working up there, it’s almost like I’m obtaining a paid vacation! 

If you don’t know much about little Skagway, the town’s normal population is around 800. I say normal because in the summer months, the numbers swell to a couple thousand thanks to several main cruise lines and other tourist based companies bringing in slews of admiring spectators.  Hisorically the town is known for being a major gateway for the Yukon Gold Rush of 1898.  In current Skagway, one can find one main grocery store and a smaller organic market, both of which advertise high prices for food.  Milk costs $5 a gallon.  Produce too costs a pretty penny due to the fact that it’s all imported.  The wildlife is as present as the humans in this region.  I was told that surrounding the docks where the cruise ships moor, schools of salmon swim.   One could reach down and practically snatch a fish  (aren’t you jealous, Dad?).  Skagway also isn’t lacking in restaurants and churches.  And, last but not least, like the rest of the state, the town is covered with daylight during the summer months.  Right now the sun rises at 4 a.m. and sets at 9 p.m..  That will soon change as the days go by.  

Living in Skagway will undoubtedly be quite different from living in urban Seattle.  Not to mention, trading in my little Honda Civic for a 40-foot commercial vehicle will be a bit..umm..shocking.  (Don’t worry, I’ve gotten proper training!)  I’m sure you’re dying to see mini me behind the wheel of a bus.  Stay tuned…I’ll post a picture as soon as I get up there.  As my motto these days goes, “GO BIG OR GO HOME!”.  I’m choosing to go big.

Check back often as undoubtedly stories will be in full measure.  The rugged wilderness won’t offer me the luxury of wireless broadband but I will work hard to get as much blogging time in as old-fashioned dial-up allows. 

Until next time!.. 

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